Arsène Wenger fires warning shot and shows he can win ugly

Tony Cascarino

Monday August 03 2015, 1.01am, The Times

Tony Cascarino

Monday August 03 2015, 1.01am, The Times

Let us get one thing straight: I believe you can learn a good deal from a friendly fixture and that the outcome of a match such as the Community Shield matters. So when I say Arsenal’s performance proves to me that Arsène Wenger is capable of orchestrating a real title challenge, I will not accept any caveats such as Chelsea were tired or not quite up to speed.

Many commentators argue that Wenger cannot change, that he has become defined by his purist football philosophy, but I think he is capable of adapting, of even performing the odd U-turn.

The match reminded me of how Arsenal ceded possession against Manchester City last season. It was a pragmatic performance. Chelsea were undone by a team prepared